Methods and systems for conducting electronic commerce

ABSTRACT

Various methods and systems are provided for conducting e-commerce. In one example, a method of conducting an e-commerce transaction includes a method of operating an online retail website. The method includes providing access to a computer interface for suppliers and presenting information to the suppliers through the computer interface regarding activity of the supplier&#39;s stock keeping unit (SKU). The suppliers are then enabled to directly modify at least one parameter associated with a presentation of the supplier&#39;s SKU on the retail website by way of the interface. The modification of the parameter may include, for example, modification of the presentation of the SKU including, for example, changing the title, adding video or photograph, or adding some other information. The modification of the parameter may also include, for example, modifying the price or entering into a bilateral agreement with the operator of the retail web site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/521,587, filed Aug. 9, 2011, entitled METHODS ANDSYSTEMS FOR CONDUCTING ONLINE SALES, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic commerce and, moreparticularly, to methods, systems and programs for conducting andmanaging retail sales in an environment such as the internet.

BACKGROUND

Commercial transactions conducted through electronic communication(e.g., via the World Wide Web (the Web or the internet)), commonly knownas “e-commerce,” have become a significant segment of the globaleconomy. In a typical e-commerce transaction, a user may access theinternet by way of a communications device (e.g., a desktop or laptopcomputer, a smart phone, tablet or other internet enabled device) andaccesses a retailer's or service provider's e-commerce website via theinternet. Once the desired e-commerce website is located, the user maysearch the website for the desired good or service, either by conductinga search of the website or by paging through the website content such asby using menus or links provided on the website. The user may then addthe desired product or service to a virtual “shopping cart” throughselection of a graphical “button” or a link associated with a graphicalor textual description of the good or service. The virtual shopping cartretains a listing of the user's intended purchases and the customer cancontinue “shopping” by exploring the website further and visiting otherproduct pages.

After the user indicates that all intended purchases have been added tothe virtual shopping cart, the e-commerce website presents a form to theuser for the user to fill enter personal and payment information (e.g.,name, address and credit card information). Once the payment informationis approved, the website presents confirmation to the user that thetransaction has been completed and may provide additional informationregarding a delivery schedule or methodology.

E-commerce has been a benefit to new companies as well as to traditional“brick and mortar” companies. Virtually all companies have invested insome form of online presence. In some instances, they have establishedtheir own system for conducting e-commerce. In other instances,companies have offered their goods or services through a third partye-commerce system. Many companies do both.

Various systems and approaches have been implemented in an effort tomake e-commerce more user friendly and more inviting on the one hand,and more profitable and manageable on the other hand. Continual effortsare being made to improve the e-commerce experience including efforts toprovide systems and methods that make the experience more effective andmore profitable for those offering goods and services for sale.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various methods and systems are disclosed herein regarding e-commerceand conducting transactions. In accordance with one aspect of theinvention, a method of conducting an e-commerce transaction is providedthat includes a method of operating an online retail website. The methodincludes providing access to a computer interface for suppliers andpresenting information to the suppliers through the computer interfaceregarding activity of the supplier's stock keeping unit (SKU). Thesuppliers are then enabled to directly modify at least one parameterassociated with a presentation of the supplier's SKU on the retailwebsite by way of the interface.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for operating an online retail website. The method comprisesproviding access to a computer interface for at least one supplier.Information is presented to the at least one supplier through thecomputer interface regarding activity of at least one stock keeping unit(SKU) offered by the at least one supplier on a retailer's website. Theat least one supplier is enabled to directly modify at least oneparameter associated with a presentation of the at least one SKU on theretailer's website.

In various embodiments, the act of presenting information regarding theat least one SKU may include providing information regarding therelative positioning of the at least one SKU among search resultsincluding a plurality of SKUs, presenting information regarding thenumber of times the at least one SKU has been included in resultspresented to a consumer after the consumer conducted a product search,presenting information regarding the at least one SKU further includespresenting information regarding the number of times additionalinformation about the at least one SKU was sought after the at least oneSKU was initially viewed by a consumer, or presenting informationregarding sales data for the at least one SKU. The sales data may berelative to sales data for other, similar products offered on theretailer's website.

The act of enabling the at least one supplier to directly modify atleast one parameter may include a variety of options such as, forexample, modifying an offering price of the at least one SKU, modifyingthe description of the supplier's SKU, providing a bonus offerassociated with the supplier's SKU, enabling the at least one supplierto enter into a bilateral agreement with the retailer, or uploading apicture or a video associated with the presentation of the at least oneSKU on the retailer's website.

The method may include additional acts as well. For example, the methodmay further include presenting updated information relating to theactivity of the at least one SKU following the modification of at leastone parameter by the supplier. The method may include enabling the atleast one supplier to enhance a ranking of the supplier's SKU in resultsof a search on the retailer's web site. It may additionally, oralternatively include enabling the at least one supplier to providemonetary consideration to the retailer or enabling the at least onesupplier to enter the at least one SKU into a retailer's promotion.

The act of enabling the at least one supplier to directly modify atleast one parameter associated with a presentation of the at least oneSKU may include enabling the at least one supplier to modify a pluralityof parameters associated with a plurality of SKUs. Additionally, themethod may include enabling the at least one supplier to upload theplurality of modified parameters to the retailer's website in a singleupload-action.

In one embodiment, the act of presenting information to the at least onesupplier through the computer interface regarding activity of at leastone SKU offered by the at least one supplier on a retailer's website mayinclude presenting information to a plurality of suppliers regarding atleast one SKU offered by each of the plurality of suppliers. Presentinginformation to a plurality of suppliers may further comprise maintaininginformation about at least one SKU of a first supplier of the pluralityprivate with respect to the remaining suppliers of the plurality.

In another embodiment, wherein presenting information to the at leastone supplier through the computer interface regarding activity of atleast one SKU offered by the at least one supplier on a retailer'swebsite may additionally include presenting information regarding in afirst category relating to impressions, a second category relating toclicks, a third category relating to conversion and a fourth categoryrelating to economics.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anothermethod of conducting electronic commerce is provided. The methodincludes providing a plurality of stock keeping units (SKUs) foroffering on a website of a retailer. Information provided about theplurality of SKUs is accessed through an interface provided by theretailer. At least one parameter associated with the presentation of atleast one of the plurality of SKUs on the retailer's website is thenmodified.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a systemis provided for suppliers to manage the offering of their stock keepingunits (SKUs) on a retailer's website. The system includes a firstcomputing system having data associated with the performance of asupplier's SKUs on the retailer's website, the first computing systembeing in communication with a network. A second computing system is alsocoupled with the network. The system further includes an interfaceaccessible by the second computing system that enables the supplier tomodify at least one parameter associated with the presentation of thesupplier's SKUs on the retailer's website.

Any of the acts or steps of the various methods may be combined withother acts of steps, and various systems may be used to implement suchmethods without limitation and as described in further detailhereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a method of conducting an e-commercetransaction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-6 are example screen shots illustrating an interface includingvarious aspects and features associated with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a computing system that may be used inaccordance with one example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a network structure that may be used inaccordance with one example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In e-commerce, products offered by an online retailer are conventionallylocated by a customer by either browsing the retailer's website, or byconducting a search for a particular product on the retailer's website,although they may also be located through third party search services(e.g., Google®, Bing®, Yahoo®, etc.). In one example, a customer mightsearch for a computer by entering a search term “laptop” into a searchwindow on the retailer's website. This search may return numerousresults that possibly match the customer's search query. Indeed it mayreturn multiple “pages” of results, meaning that a specified number ofresults (e.g., 25 or 50) are listed on a first, initial page of searchresults, and a user will be required to click on a link to view one ormore subsequent pages that contain additional listings. The order inwhich the results are presented to a consumer may be controlled to acertain degree. For example, the retailer may structure the order ofresults so that products with a higher margin of profitability are seenfirst. Other sort orders may also be used. Additionally, users may beable to sort the results according to certain criteria such as the mostpopular results first, the highest (or lowest) price first, or theresults having the highest review scores first.

It has been determined that, when conducting e-commerce, most sales arederived from a very small number of results for a given search query. Inother words a customer usually selects an item for purchase from aselect number of results, often those that have been listed at or nearthe beginning of the list of search results, rather than reviewing theentire listing of results before selecting an item. Thus, onlineretailers, as well as suppliers of the goods being sold by the onlineretailer, have considerable interest in seeing that certain productsobtain a prime position among search results.

The present invention includes various embodiments directed to systemsand methods for conducting e-commerce including the implementation ofprocesses that enable suppliers (sometimes referred to as “partners”)and online retailers to more effectively market and sell productsthrough an e-commerce system. The systems and methods may involve theuse of a variety of communications devices and may be implemented usingcomputing devices over a network, such as the internet, as will bedescribed in additional detail below.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a flow chart depicts various acts thatmay be used in a process 100 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In an initial act 102, a supplier accesses data,provided by the retailer, related to the offering of the supplier'sproduct or stock keeping unit (SKU) through the retailer's website. Thisdata may include information regarding the positioning of the productwithin search results given certain keyword searches that have beenconducted. It may also include information regarding the number of pageviews for the product, the number of sales transacted during a givenperiod of time, the economics associated with such sales as well asother relevant data.

After reviewing this data, the supplier may directly access one or moremodification options associated with the presentation and offering ofthe product of SKU, as indicated at 104. Examples of such modificationsare discussed in further detail below. If the supplier modifies certainparameters, as indicated at 106, they may then continue to monitor theproduct by reviewing updated data (i.e., return to act 102). Thisprocess may continue until the supplier is satisfied with the sales dataassociated with product (e.g., the number of sales and the profitabilityof the product). This entire process may be conducted online (e.g., byway of various types of communication or computing devices) withoutdirect human interaction between the online retailer and the supplier.In other words, the supplier or partner does not need to contact theretailer to ask them to alter certain aspects or parameters associatedwith the offering of the product on the retailer's website.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, example screen shots are shown illustrating apotential interface 200 that may be used by a supplier whenincorporating the method shown and described with respect to FIG. 1. Theinterface includes a number of different menu options 201 as will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The menu options 201may be provided and configured, for example, to enable a user tonavigate the program or site, access various features of the program orsite, initiate actions (e.g., download or upload information) or accessother programs or sites. The interface 200 additionally providesinformation regarding a number of individual products, or SKUs202A-202E. Various data and information is provided in the interface 200regarding each SKU 202A-202E. For example, as indicated at 204,information may be provided regarding the number of “impressions” orviews the SKU is getting on the online retailer's website. Thisinformation may include, for example, the number of times a SKU 202 isincluded in search results. This information might also include specificdata relating to search results for given keywords. For example, therank of the SKU within search results for a given set of searchparameters.

The information may be provided to the supplier in any of a number offorms. For example, the information may be provided as raw data, such asin a table or in a trending graph (see, e.g., FIG. 6). The data andinformation may also be presented as analytical data such as bycomparing it to other SKUs in a common category of goods, or it may beprovided in the form of an index or performance score 206. The index orperformance score 206 may represent, for example, the performance of agiven SKU 202 relative to other SKUs in a given category or it mayprovide a formulaic representation of the SKUs performance in the viewof the retailer (i.e., according the analysis performed by theretailer). In one particular embodiment, the index or performance score206 may be represented as a percentage of average performance for adefined category of goods. In other words, a score of 100% indicatesthat the SKU is performing at least as well as the average SKU withinthe defined category. A score of less than 100% would indicate that theSKU is performing sub optimally, or less than average, relative to otherSKUs within the goods category for the specified parameter (e.g.,Impressions).

It is noted that the interface 200 is shown in a general, simplifiedform and that further information may be obtained through the interface200, such as by way of hyperlinks, drop-down menus, or other interactivefeatures associated with, for example, the SKUs 202A-202E, the index 206or the information or category headings (e.g., 204). It is also notedthat the arrangement of the interface 200 shown in FIGS. 2-6 is merelyan example and that other arrangements, including more or fewercategories of information, may be used. For example, while theparticular examples shown in FIGS. 2-5 include SKUs 204 organized byrows and categories of information (e.g., Impressions 204) organized bycolumns, such could be reversed, or other desirable arrangements may beused.

As indicated at 208, information may be provided regarding whether ornot customers are “clicking” on or selecting a given SKU 202 afterhaving viewed it in a list of search results in order to obtain moreinformation regarding the SKU 202. In other words, if a consumer saw theSKU in a list of search results (or in association with a promotion bythe retailer, as a featured item on the retailer's website, orotherwise), if the consumer decided to visit the “product page” of theSKU, or otherwise obtain additional information about the SKU from theretailer's website, such would be considered a “Click.”

Additional information may also be provided regarding “Conversion” asindicated at 210. This information may include data regarding how manypeople purchased a given SKU 202 after having viewed it and/or having“clicked” on it to obtain further product information. Another exampleof information that may be provided to the supplier includes formationregarding the Economics of the SKU as indicated at 212. This informationmay include, for example, the economic value provided to the onlineretailer when a sale of the SKU 202 occurs at given pricing conditions.It may additionally, or alternatively, contain information regarding thesupplier's profit based on the sale price and the amount retained by theretailer. The rank of the SKU within a defined category or subcategorymay also be provided, as indicated by reference numeral 213.

Of course the above-described categories of information are onlyexamples and it is contemplated that additional and differentinformation may be provided to the supplier. The various categories(e.g., 208, 210 and 212) may also each include individual indexes orperformance scores (all generally shown as 206) as described above withrespect to Impressions 204. Of course, other means of presentingperformance data, including links to graphs 214 or other pages ofinformation may also, or alternatively, be used such as alreadyindicated with reference to FIG. 6.

A number of modification options 216 may be associated with one or moreof the various categories of information (e.g., such as shown inassociation with Impressions 204, Clicks 208, Conversion 210 andEconomics 212). In one embodiment, the modification options 216 may beassociated with a drop down menu with the heading “Improve,” althoughother means of presenting and effecting such options may be implemented.Potential modification options 216 associated with the category ofinformation regarding impressions 204 include various options providedto the supplier to help them improve the number of impressions or viewsthat the associated SKU receives when someone searches for aproduct—either on the retailer's website or through an internet searchengine. For example, referring to FIG. 2, modification options 216associated with the category of Impressions may include the ability toupdate the information provided by the supplier in association with theSKU. As indicated in the drop down menu shown in FIG. 2, the suppliermay be able to add a model number, list a brand name or add a universalprice code (UPC) to the description of the SKU. Such additionalinformation may not only be effective in helping individuals find aspecific product or brand within the retailer's system, but may alsomake it more likely that an internet search engine (e.g., Google, Bing,etc.) will locate the SKU within the retailer's system and place the SKUat a higher ranking within a set of search results.

Additionally, other options may be provided, such as an option to“Bundle” the particular SKU with another SKU (e.g., to bundle socks withshoes or to bundle casual shoes with running shoes) at price that isreduced compared to buying the two items separately. This may be used,for example, to tie a lower performing SKU with a higher performing SKUand get more views of the lower performing SKU by consumers.

Examples of other options that may be associated with improving theimpressions of a particular SKU include the option to provide a “Spiff”or the opportunity to enter into a CoOp with the retailer. One exampleof a “Spiff” includes having the supplier or partner offer a bonusproduct (another SKU) with the purchase of the SKU under consideration.This may change the basic economics associated with the SKU beingoffered so as to make it more appealing to a customer. This may alsomake it more desirable for the retailer to place the SKU 202 in a moreprominent search results position.

With regard to the option of a CoOp, one example includes the retaileroffering to feature the SKU more prominently in their advertising andmarketing in exchange for some other consideration from the supplier orpartner. Such consideration may include, for example, providing thegiven SKU at a reduced cost to the consumer for a specified period oftime without changing the amount of revenue that will be provided to theonline retailer. Another example of a CoOp may include providing anopportunity, for appropriate consideration (e.g., payment of a premium,reducing the price of the SKU without effecting the economics of a saleof the SKU for the retailer, etc.), to feature the SKU on the retailer'sweb site in some manner such as in association with an upcoming sale orpromotion. It is noted that the user interface 200 may provide anindicator 218 regarding which SKUs are already participating in one ormore promotions.

Yet another modification option may be referred to as a “Boost” whichprovides the supplier with an opportunity to pay a premium in exchangefor ensuring that their SKU is ranked or positioned higher within set ofsearch results for a period of time.

Considering the category of Clicks 208, and with reference to FIG. 3,examples of modification options 216 may include providing the abilityof the supplier or partner to change the title associated with the SKU202 so that certain keyword searches are more likely to “catch” the SKU202 or to more properly match the product being offered with such asearch. Another modification option may be offered to provide or toalter the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the SKU 202.Additionally, an option may be provided for the supplier or partner toinclude or modify various attributes associated with the SKU. Forexample, the type of material that the product is made from (e.g.,leather, silk, stainless steel, aluminum), the size of the product, thecolor of the product and other such attributes that would indicate tothe customer whether they had found a product that matched their desiredcriteria.

Looking at the category of Conversion 210, and with reference to FIG. 4,modification options 216 may include the ability for the partner to addor modify photos, videos or other aspects of the SKU's description thatare presented on the retailer's website. Another example of amodification option 216 includes providing the ability to provide aprice comparison from another online retailer. Such additionalinformation may even include tutorial videos and buying guides to help aconsumer learn about the product category and better understand thevalue of the particular SKU. These types of modification options willenable the partner to better market or sell the product when a consumerhas “clicked” on a SKU to learn more about it in their efforts to make apurchasing decision. In another example, the supplier may be given theability to set the price by option or attribute for a given SKU. Thus,for example, the price may be varied based on material, color, size orother attributes that may be selected by the consumer.

Additionally, a “bilateral” option may be provided wherein the retailersets forth an offer to modify a parameter associated with the SKU 202 solong as the supplier also agrees to another stated modification. Forexample the retailer may offer to account for a discount of 5% on thesale price if the supplier likewise offers a discount of 5% on saleprice. This bilateral agreement would then result in a discount of 10%to the customer (making it more enticing to purchase in comparison toother related products offered on the retailer's website) with each ofthe retailer and the supplier taking responsibility for the statedportion of that discount. Of course, the discount may also be split innon-even ratios as well. Another way of structuring a bilateral optionmay be to provide a specific price reduction recommendation to thesupplier or partner (for example, based on proprietary data available tothe retailer for related goods) with the understanding that the entireamount of reduction will be passed on to the end customer. Again, insuch an agreement, responsibility for the discounted amount could besplit between the retailer and the supplier at a defined ratio, or itcould be carried entirely by the supplier—with the retailer'sconsideration being, for example, the proprietary analysis about asuggested price change based on their data.

Considering now, with reference to FIG. 5, the information categoryregarding Economics 210, modification options 216 may include theability of the supplier to unilaterally alter the price of the SKU 202with the understanding that the change in price will not impact theprofit received by the online retailer based on the sale of the SKU 202at the altered price.

Various other modification options may be provided to the supplier andthe above examples are not limiting. The modification options providedby the retailer will enable a supplier to effectively alter the offeringof their SKU 202 on the retailer's website. These modifications may havean impact not only with regard to the appeal of the SKU 2022 a customer,but also with respect to the position of the SKU 202 within searchresults when a customer conducts a search for a product on theretailer's website as well as the economics associated with theoffering. Thus, the supplier may have greater control over their productoffering and become a more integrated partner with the retailer byenhancing the appeal and the economic value of a given SKU 202.Additionally, while various examples of modification options have beenprovided for the different categories of information, it is noted thatsome of the example options may be used in different categories thandescribed above, some options may be available in association withmultiple categories of information, and other modification options notspecifically described herein may be used without limitation.

As previously noted, after making modifications to one or moreparameters associated with the offering and presentation of a particularSKU 202, the supplier may return to the interface 200 to monitor the SKU202 and determine whether there has been any change in its performanceby reviewing the various categories of information 204, 208, 210 and212. The supplier may continue to do this as indicated previously withregard to FIG. 1, until they are satisfied with the sales performance ofthe SKU 202.

The methods described herein may be extended to multiple supplierssimultaneously so as to engender competition among multiple supplierswith regard to the placement of their SKUs in more prominent searchresult positions and in an effort to increase the sales of their SKUsrelative to other products in a given category. The method may beimplemented by providing a website that is accessible by suppliers andhaving an interface, such as described above, giving the ability to thesuppliers to more directly control certain parameters associated withthe presentation and offering of their products on the retailer'swebsite. In one embodiment, each supplier may only see and have accessto information regarding their own SKUs. In other embodiments, someinformation may be provided by the retailer to a supplier regardingother supplier's SKUs such as in a generic or non-specific manner.

Various other options and features may be provided in the user interface200. For example, sort features may be provided to the supplier in aneffort to help the supplier organize and access the data and informationin a simple and effective manner. In one embodiment, the SKUs (e.g.,202A-202E) may be presented in an order where the first listed SKU isone where the least amount of change (in terms of altering one or moremodification options 216) will enable the biggest change in performanceor the biggest jump in its placement in a listing of search results.Other orders of listing may also be used. Sort features may enable thesupplier to list the SKUs by number, alphabetically by name ordescription, by goods categories (e.g., shoes or books), by rank withina defined category of goods, by performance in any of the categorieslisted on the interface (e.g., Impressions, Clicks, etc.), or by anyother appropriate manner.

Another feature that may be included is the ability to make numerouschanges to multiple SKUs (e.g., changing various modification options)and then uploading all of the changes at one time to the retailer'swebsite at one time. Similarly, if the supplier wished to work“off-line,” the supplier could export all of the information associatedwith their SKUs to their own computing device, make changes and thenupload all of the changes back to the retailer's system.

The user interface 200 may also include information such as the quantityof stock on hand for a given SKU, as well as a forecast regarding howmany days until the stock will be depleted based on informationavailable to the retailer. Other information may include detailsregarding upcoming promotions or holiday events that may be available tothe retailer. Additionally, links to information provided by consumersabout the supplier's SKUs may be provided. Such information may include,for example, product reviews, questions asked by consumers, customersurveys, or information relating to the return of various products tothe retailer/supplier by customers.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, diagrams are shown of examples ofcomputing systems that may be utilized in implementing a method orprocess that may utilize the user interface described above. FIG. 7depicts a block diagram of one example of a computer system 300 suitablefor implementing the present systems and methods. Computer system 300includes a bus 302 which interconnects major subsystems of computersystem 300, such as a central processor 304, a system memory 306(typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or the like),an input/output controller 308, an external audio device, such as aspeaker system 310 via an audio output interface 312, an externaldevice, such as a display screen 314 via display adapter 316, serialports 318 and 320, a keyboard 322 (interfaced with a keyboard controller324), multiple USB devices 326 (interfaced with a USB controller 328), astorage interface 330, a storage device 332 (which may include a fixeddisc, a floppy disc, an optical disc or other storage devices), a hostbus adapter (HBA) interface card 334 operative to connect with a FibreChannel network 336 and a host bus adapter (HBA) interface card 338operative to connect to a SCSI bus 340. Also included are a user inputdevices 342 (e.g., a mouse or other point-and-click device—although suchdevices may also be coupled to the bus 302 via a USB controller 328), amodem 344 (coupled to bus 302 via port 320), and a network interface 346(coupled directly to bus 302).

Bus 302 allows data communication between central processor 304 andsystem memory 306, which may include read-only memory (ROM) or flashmemory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), aspreviously noted. The RAM is generally the main memory into which theoperating system and application programs are loaded. The ROM or flashmemory can contain, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system(BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interactionwith peripheral components or devices. Applications resident withcomputer system 300 are generally stored on and accessed via a computerreadable medium, such as a hard disc drive, an optical drive, a floppydisk drive, a flash memory drive or other storage medium. Additionally,applications can be in the form of electronic signals modulated inaccordance with the application and data communication technology whenaccessed via network modem 344 or network interface 346.

Storage interface 330, as with the other storage interfaces of computersystem 300, can connect to a standard computer readable medium forstorage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disc drive. Afixed disk drive or other storage device may be a part of computersystem 300 or may be separate and accessed through other interfacesystems. Modem 344 may provide a direct connection to a remote servervia a telephone link or to the Internet via an internet service provider(ISP). Network interface 346 may provide a direct connection to a remoteserver via a direct network link to the Internet via a POP (point ofpresence). Network interface 346 may provide such connection usingwireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection,Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite dataconnection or the like.

Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in asimilar manner (e.g., document scanners, digital cameras and so on).Conversely, all of the devices shown in FIG. 7 need not be present topractice the present systems and methods. The devices and subsystems canbe interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 7. Theoperation of a computer system such as that shown in FIG. 7 is readilyknown in the art and is not discussed in detail in this application.Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored incomputer-readable medium such as one or more of system memory 306, afixed disc, an optical disk, a floppy disc, a flash memory drive or someother storage device. The operating system provided on computer system300 may be, for example, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, Linux®, oranother known operating system.

Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in theart will recognize that a signal can be directly transmitted from afirst block to a second block, or a signal can be modified (e.g.,amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered,or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of theabove described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from oneblock to the next, other embodiments of the present systems and methodsmay include modified signals in place of such directly transmittedsignals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of thesignal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input ata second block can be conceptualized as a second signal derived from afirst signal output from a first block due to physical limitations ofthe circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuationand delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from afirst signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the firstsignal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage throughother circuit elements which do not change the informational and/orfinal functional aspect of the first signal.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting a network architecture 400 in whichclient systems 410, 420 and 430, as well as storage servers 440A and440B (any of which can be implemented using a computer system such asshown in FIG. 7, for example), are coupled to a network 450. In oneembodiment, a supplier program for managing SKU offerings on a thirdparty retailer's website may be located within a server 440A, 440B toimplement the present systems and methods. The storage server 440A isfurther depicted as having storage devices 460A(1)-(N) directlyattached, and storage server 440B is depicted with storage devices460B(1)-(N) directly attached. SAN (storage area network) fabric 470supports access to storage devices 480(1)-(N) by storage servers 440Aand 440B, and so by client systems 410, 420, and 430 via network 450. Anintelligent storage array 490 is also shown as an example of a specificstorage device accessible via SAN fabric 470.

With reference to computer system 300 in FIG. 7, for example, a modem344, a network interface 346 or some other method can be used to provideconnectivity from each of client computer systems 410, 420, and 430 tonetwork 450. Client systems 410, 420, and 430 are able to accessinformation on storage server 440A or 440B using, for example, a webbrowser or other client software (not shown). Such a client allowsclient systems 410, 420, and 430 to access data hosted by storage server440A or 440B or one of storage devices 460A(1)-(N), 460B(1)-(N),480(1)-(N) or intelligent storage array 490. FIG. 8 depicts the use of anetwork such as the Internet for exchanging data, but the presentsystems and methods are not limited to the Internet or any particularnetwork-based environment.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of acts described and/or illustratedherein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired.For example, while the acts illustrated and/or described herein may beshown or discussed in a particular order, these acts do not necessarilyneed to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The variousexemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit oneor more of the acts described or illustrated herein or includeadditional acts in addition to those disclosed.

Furthermore, while various embodiments have been described and/orillustrated herein in the context of fully functional computing systems,one or more of these exemplary embodiments may be distributed as aprogram product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular typeof computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution.The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using softwaremodules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may includescript, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. In someembodiments, these software modules may configure a computing system toperform one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. It isadditionally noted that the interface may be implemented in variousforms including, for example, as a program implemented from a supplier'scomputing system that accesses data on the retailer's computing systemor network; via the internet through a web browser; or through aretailer's server or network by way of a virtual private network thathas been accessed by a supplier.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended tobe limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the inventionincludes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingappended claims.

1. A method of operating an online retail website, the methodcomprising: providing access to a computer interface for at least onesupplier; presenting information to the at least one supplier throughthe computer interface regarding activity of at least one stock keepingunit (SKU) offered by the at least one supplier on a retailer's website;enabling the at least one supplier to directly modify at least oneparameter associated with a presentation of the at least one SKU on theretailer's website.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinpresenting information regarding the at least one SKU includes providinginformation regarding the relative positioning of the at least one SKUamong search results including a plurality of SKUs.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein presenting information regarding the atleast one SKU includes presenting information regarding the number oftimes the at least one SKU has been included in results presented to aconsumer after the consumer conducted a product search.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein presenting information regarding the atleast one SKU further includes presenting information regarding thenumber of times additional information about the at least one SKU wassought after the at least one SKU was initially viewed by a consumer. 5.The method according to claim 1, wherein presenting informationregarding the at least one SKU includes sales data for the at least oneSKU.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the sales data isrelative to other, similar products offered on the retailer's web site.7. The method according to claim 1, wherein enabling the at least onesupplier to directly modify at least one parameter includes enabling theat least one supplier to modify an offering price of the at least oneSKU.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein enabling the at leastone supplier to directly modify at least one parameter includes enablingthe supplier to modify the description of the supplier's SKU.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein enabling the at least one supplierto directly modify at least one parameter includes enabling the supplierto provide a bonus offer associated with the supplier's SKU.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein enabling the at least one supplierto directly modify at least one parameter includes enabling the at leastone supplier to enter into a bilateral agreement with the retailer. 11.The method according to claim 1, wherein enabling the at least onesupplier to directly modify at least one parameter includes enabling thesupplier to upload a picture or a video associated with the presentationof the at least one SKU on the retailer's website.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising presenting updated informationrelating to the activity of the at least one SKU following themodification of at least one parameter by the supplier.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least onesupplier to enhance a ranking of the supplier's SKU in results of asearch on the retailer's website.
 14. The method according to claim 13,wherein enabling the at least one supplier to enhance a ranking of theat least one SKU includes enabling the at least one supplier to providemonetary consideration to the retailer.
 15. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one supplier to enterthe at least one SKU into a retailer's promotion.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein enabling the at least one supplier todirectly modify at least one parameter associated with a presentation ofthe at least one SKU includes enabling the at least one supplier tomodify a plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of SKUs.17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising enabling the atleast one supplier to upload the plurality of modified parameters to theretailer's web site in a single upload-action.
 18. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein presenting information to the at least one supplierthrough the computer interface regarding activity of at least one SKUoffered by the at least one supplier on a retailer's website includespresenting information to a plurality of suppliers regarding at leastone SKU offered by each of the plurality of suppliers.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein presenting information to a plurality ofsuppliers further comprises maintaining information about at least oneSKU of a first supplier of the plurality private with respect to theremaining suppliers of the plurality.
 20. The method according to claim1, wherein presenting information to the at least one supplier throughthe computer interface regarding activity of at least one SKU offered bythe at least one supplier on a retailer's website includes presentinginformation regarding in a first category relating to impressions, asecond category relating to clicks, a third category relating toconversion and a fourth category relating to economics.
 21. A method ofconducting electronic commerce, the method comprising: providing aplurality of stock keeping units (SKUs) for offering on a website of aretailer; accessing information provided about the plurality of SKUsthrough an interface provided by the retailer; modifying at least oneparameter associated with the presentation of at least one of theplurality of SKUs on the retailer's website.
 22. A system for suppliersto manage the offering of their stock keeping units (SKUs) on aretailer's website, the system comprising: a first computing systemhaving data associated with the performance of a supplier's SKUs on theretailer's website, the first computing system being in communicationwith a network; a second computing system coupled with the network; aninterface accessible by the second computing system that enables thesupplier to modify at least one parameter associated with thepresentation of the supplier's SKUs on the retailer's website.